The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Depression

by Rebecca Rutledge

Overview

Your child needs help—your help. With The Everything Parent’s Guide to Children with Depression, you can ensure that your child receives the right support and treatment. In this reassuring, practical handbook, Drs. Rebecca Rutledge and Thomas Bannister offer the professional advice you need to determine:
-If your child is at risk
-How and when to get professional help
-The best treatment options
-Benefits and side effects of medication
-What you and your family can do to help

Rutledge, an expert psychologist, and Bannister, a clinical psychiatrist, are both known for their work with depressed children and adolescents. With their help, you’ll understand why your child is unhappy—and what you can do about it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598692648
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	06/04/2007
Series:	Everything�
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

An Adams Media author.

Table of Contents

Introduction     xiii
Getting a Handle on Childhood Depression     1
Do Kids Really Get Depressed?     1
Prevalence in Children and Teens     3
Theories of Depression     5
What Is Depression Exactly?     11
Childhood Versus Teenage Depression     13
Behavioral Symptoms     14
Emotional Symptoms     16
Causes of Depression     19
Genetics     19
Brain Chemistry     20
Physical Illness     21
The Family Environment     23
Loss     24
Television and Other Influences     27
Stressful Life Events     28
Predictors of Depression     33
Family History     33
Loss     37
Sleep and Appetite     38
Behavior     41
Comments     43
Helplessness     44
Self-esteem     45
Is My Child Depressed?     49
A Look at the Depressed Child     49
Keep a Calendar     53
Glean Information from School, Family, and Friends     55
Get the Diagnosis Right     57
Using DepressionQuestionnaires     59
Psychotic Depression     61
Get a Physical Exam     63
Risk Factors     65
Problems with Social Skills     65
School Problems     68
Learning Disabilities     70
Chronic Illness     71
Family Environment     73
Sibling Troubles     77
Preexisting Psychiatric Illness     79
Depression as a Part of Other Psychological Problems     81
Anxiety Disorders     81
Eating Disorders     88
Sexuality     89
Self-injury     89
Learning Disorders     90
Behavioral Problems     91
Low Self-esteem     92
Dysthymia and Bipolar Disorder     93
Defining and Diagnosing Dysthymia     93
What Does a Dysthymic Child Look Like?     95
Where Dysthymia Ends and Depression Begins     96
Defining and Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder     97
What Does a Bipolar Child Look Like?     100
Track the Symptoms     102
Treatment Options     102
Depression-related Issues     107
Depression's Link to Other Mental Illnesses      107
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder     108
Oppositional Defiant Disorder     110
Conduct Disorder     111
Physical and Sexual Abuse     113
Seasonal Affective Disorder     113
Alcohol and Drug Abuse     114
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder     117
Medical Illness     120
Seeking Professional Help     121
When to Intervene     121
Parental Reservations about Getting Help     122
Educating Yourself     123
Finding a Diagnostician     129
Preparing for the First Appointment     130
How to Pick the Right Therapist     131
The Importance of Honesty and Full Disclosure     134
The Decision to Undergo Treatment     135
Do Your Homework     135
Discussing Treatment with Your Child     137
Who Else Needs to Know?     139
Exploring Parental Feelings and Fears     140
Trust Your Gut     144
Getting a Second Opinion     144
Treatment for the Mind, Body, and Soul     147
Psychotherapy     147
Medication     152
Medication Side Effects     155
Alternative Remedies     157
Diet, Exercise, and Spirituality     158
The Role of Advocate for Your Child     159
Strategies for Children     161
Education     161
Cognitive Restructuring     163
Problem-Solving Skills     168
Communication Skills     170
Labeling Emotions     171
Seeking Outlets for Emotional Expression     172
Demystifying the Stigma of Mental Illness     174
Suicide: Is Your Child at Risk?     175
Prevalence among Children and Teens     175
Risk Factors     176
Warning Signs     181
Suicidal Ideation     185
Suicide-proofing the Home     186
Help Manage Suicidal Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors     188
Inpatient Treatment     191
Is It Time for Inpatient Treatment?     191
Treatment Settings     194
Picking a Facility     197
What to Expect from Inpatient Treatment     200
The Parental Role in Treatment     203
Inpatient Treatment Is Over-Now What?     204
Prevention     207
Open Communication     207
Teaching Communication Skills      209
Physical Activity     211
Creative Outlets     212
Education     213
Fostering Self-esteem     215
All in the Family     219
Depression's Effect on the Family     219
Caring for the Caregiver     222
Nurture the Adult Relationship     225
Siblings     228
Extended Family     230
Family Therapy     232
Parenting the Depressed Child     235
Avoiding the "Poor, Pitiful Me" Syndrome     235
Developing Trust     238
Effective Discipline     240
Knowing When to Back Off     244
Keep Perspective in the Midst of Chaos     245
Encourage Self-reliance     247
At-risk Parents and Depression     249
Depression     249
Drug and Alcohol Abuse     252
Divorce     254
Marital Discord     256
Parental History of Abuse     257
Toxic Parenting     258
School     265
Should the School Know?     265
Reasonable Accommodations     268
Putting School Resources to Good Use     270
The Parent's Role at School     272
Manage Depression's Effect on School Performance     274
When the School Isn't on Board     278
What Does the Future Hold?     281
Is the Depression Gone?     281
Overparenting     283
Maintain a Close Relationship     285
Prepare for Developmental Changes     287
Your Child's Identity after Depression     292
Major Life Events and Stressors     293
Conclusion     294
Resources on Childhood and Adolescent Depression     295
Depression Questionnaires     297
Index     299